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Disability and Senior Advocate Maggie "Dee" Dowling In Hospital ICU After Major Cancer Surgery  - Doctors Say All Cancer Removed But Faces Long Recovery

Maggie "Dee" Dowling, Longtime Senior and Disability Advocate in 2008 at "Farewell Party." Photo by Marty Omoto.: Maggie "Dee" Dowling, Longtime Senior and Disability Advocate

SACRAMENTO, CALIF (CDCAN) [Updated 11/20/09  07:20 AM  (Pacific Time)  - Maggie "Dee" Dowling, a longtime respected disability and senior advocate remains in the intensive care unit (ICU) at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek recovering after major surgery on Tuesday (November 17) to remove a life threatening cancerous tumor.  Dowling - known simply as "Maggie Dee" across the state, remains in very serious condition but her doctors report that they were able to remove all the cancer.  She faces a long recovery and is expected to remain in the east bay hospital for some period of time.

Maggie Dee Dowling is a member also of the Gray Panthers, ADAPT and other disability advocacy groups

Close friends Lynn Carman, an attorney with the Medicaid Defense Fund and former state senator Liz Figeuroa were at the hospital during Maggie Dee's surgery.  Carman urged people to "keep those prayers coming - they are working" and that the outcome - so far - of the surgery has been "a miracle".  [CDCAN Personal Note:  I was supposed to be there too but due to transportation problems could not be at the hospital until later this week.  Please send her a card - even if you do not know her personally, her advocacy and work has probably touched your life in some way. Now your life can touch hers when she needs it the most. - Marty Omoto]

While Maggie Dee at this point cannot officially have visitors at the hospital other than family, people are urged to send cards that will help in her recovery.  Send cards (nothing with fragrances - and at this point while she is in ICU, no flowers):

John Muir Medical Center (Walnut Creek Campus)
Critical Care Unit - Room 238-01
Patient:  Maggie Dee Dowling
1601 Ygnacio Valley Road
Walnut Creek, CA  94598

Maggie "Dee" who lives in Pittsburg, California helped by several In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) workers, hosts a San Francisco University based radio show on disability issues.  She has been a longtime advocate on a wide range of disability, senior and mental health rights, and low income family issues for decades.

She provided through a special setup by phone, an emotional and compelling testimony to the Assembly Budget Committee on November 5th on the problems and fears she faced in the implementation of recent changes to the In-Home Supportive Services program impacting her workers (providers).

She has also been a frequent presence and tireless voice at nearly every Olmstead Advisory Committee meeting since the committee was formed in 2005, a frequent guest and commentator at numerous CDCAN Townhall Telemeetings and other disability and senior related events and meetings statewide and locally in the bay area on issues including healthcare, Medi-Cal, accessible and affordable housing, transportation, IHSS, SSI/SSP, end of life and other issues.